Sohrab Sami

← Go back

Personal Information
Applicant Name	Sohrab Sami
Applicant Email	Email hidden; Javascript is required.
Training Level	Graduate student
City of Residence	Detroit
Distance to Chicago, IL	≤ 2 hour flight
Age	30
Gender identity and pronouns	Male
Have you ever attended an AACN annual meeting?	No
The following list includes characteristics of historically underrepresented groups. Please select all characteristics that represent you and/or describe other diverse facets of your identity in the “Other” option.	International/immigrant students or workers Bilingual/multilingual
Funding Opportunitites
I would like to be considered for the following funding opportunities.	Student/Trainee Leader Student/Trainee Assistant SPS Conference Mentor
If selected for both Student Leader/Assistant and SPS Conference Mentor, I would prefer:	SPS Conference Mentor
Application for Student Assistant
By applying to be a student assistant, you agree to the following responsibilities/commitments:	I carefully reviewed the above responsibilities/commitments and agree with all of them. Job responsibilities: Cover shifts at the Help Desk. Help with scanning attendees for CE workshops. Maintain regular communication with student conference leaders and help problem solve any issues that arise. Attend a one-hour orientation virtually before the conference. Time commitment: Six to nine hours over the course of the conference.
Would you like to be considered for complimentary lodging?	Yes, please.
In-Person Volunteer Slots	Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (Afternoon) Thursday, June 12, 2025 (Morning) Thursday, June 12, 2025 (Afternoon) Friday, June 13, 2025 (Morning) Friday, June 13, 2025 (Afternoon) Saturday, June 14, 2025 (Morning)
Application for Conference Leader
By applying to be a conference leader, you agree to the following responsibilities/commitments:	I carefully reviewed the above responsibilities/commitments and agree with all of them. Job responsibilities: Attend select Conference Committee meetings. These currently occur the first Wednesday of the month at 4 PM ET. Help recruit student assistants via listservs and organizations (e.g., AACN, INS, etc.). Communicate with prospective student assistants regularly via email, text message, and/or online meetings as needed. Organize pertinent information (e.g., contact info, tentative availability during the conference). Schedule 1-2 training sessions with student assistants (using videoconferencing). Review job duties and answer questions with support from the Technology Manager and Conference Co-Chair(s). Keep up with changes that are made throughout the recruitment phase to assure all students assistants are updated. Create a schedule for student assistants based on availability and conference needs. Communicate job duties with student assistants. Problem solve changes to the schedule. Cover shifts at the Help Desk. Support student assistants and keep things organized. Maintain regular communication with your co-coordinator to problem solving if any issues that arise. Communicate with the Technology Manager, Conference Co-Chair(s), local event planners, Education Chair, and President as needed. Relay solutions to student assistants. Time commitment: 1-2 hours per month for attending meetings. Spring time leading up to the conference: Up to 15 hours per week creating and editing the schedule as well as communicating with your co-coordinator, committee, and student assistants. Arrive at conference Tuesday evening or Wednesday (6/11/24 or 6/12/24) before registration opens on Wednesday early afternoon and remain available through late afternoon Saturday (6/14/23) when the conference ends. Cover the Help Desk approximately three 4-hour shifts (12 hours total).
Are you actively involved (e.g., leadership/service position, volunteer at annual meeting(s), poster presentations) in AACN?	No
Personal Statement	I have been motivated by leadership experiences since the early stages of my career. As I advance in my scientist-practitioner training, I have learned and continue to consider the value of disseminating scientific and clinical care knowledge. I believe that such leadership positions would allow me to facilitate this process and make a meaningful impact on on communities in need. Through this experience, I hope to become more familiar with our neuropsychology community, its strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth and to contribute to its advancement. I hope to learn about the ongoing work of the leaders in the field as well as my peers. I am also passionate about utilizing multidisciplinary work to promote precision medicine. I believe that meeting others in my field with different interests, perspectives, and expertise will broaden my own scientific, clinical, and overall professional outlook. Unanticipated challenges are inevitable in organized events, such as critical personnel being absent due to unforeseen circumstances. Working as a clinical research coordinator on complex and fast-paced projects has equipped me with the tools to overcome such challenges. For example, I have developed the ability to remain professional, patient, and resourceful under pressure. Additionally, volunteering at the 2023 INS conference, I gained insight into conference-specific challenges, including managing uncooperative attendees, resolving interpersonal conflicts, and addressing technological issues. I learned effective strategies from organizers to address these situations. In my role as a clinical research coordinator, I managed different aspects of clinical trials including hiring, training, and supervising junior staff. I guided them in collecting data while adhering to research protocols and regulatory guidelines. I also mentored them in their professional development and helped them achieve their goals. For instance, I provided guidance on navigating professional interactions with physicians, investigators, clinicians, and team members from diverse backgrounds. I would be honored to utilize the skills I have gained through such leadership experience to contribute to the AACN Conference.
Curriculum Vitae	Sohrab-Sami-CV.pdf
Application for Scholarship	Travel scholarship awardees are provided with free conference registration and reimbursement of up to $550 of travel expenses to support conference attendance, including meals, hotel stay, and airfare.
Application for Conference Mentor Award
By applying to be a conference leader, you agree to the following responsibilities/commitments:	I carefully reviewed the above responsibilities/commitments and agree with all of them. Job responsibilities: Attend select Conference Committee meetings. These currently occur the first Wednesday of the month at 4 PM ET. Help recruit student assistants via listservs and organizations (e.g., AACN, INS, etc.). Communicate with prospective student assistants regularly via email, text message, and/or online meetings as needed. Organize pertinent information (e.g., contact info, tentative availability during the conference). Schedule 1-2 training sessions with student assistants (using videoconferencing). Review job duties and answer questions with support from the Technology Manager and Conference Co-Chair(s). Keep up with changes that are made throughout the recruitment phase to assure all students assistants are updated. Create a schedule for student assistants based on availability and conference needs. Communicate job duties with student assistants. Problem solve changes to the schedule. Cover shifts at the Help Desk. Support student assistants and keep things organized. Maintain regular communication with your co-coordinator to problem solving if any issues that arise. Communicate with the Technology Manager, Conference Co-Chair(s), local event planners, Education Chair, and President as needed. Relay solutions to student assistants. Time commitment: 1-2 hours per month for attending meetings. Spring time leading up to the conference: Up to 15 hours per week creating and editing the schedule as well as communicating with your co-coordinator, committee, and student assistants. Arrive at conference Tuesday evening or Wednesday (6/11/24 or 6/12/24) before registration opens on Wednesday early afternoon and remain available through late afternoon Saturday (6/14/23) when the conference ends. Cover the Help Desk approximately three 4-hour shifts (12 hours total).
In 500 words or fewer, please describe (1) your prior mentorship experience and what you feel you can offer mentees from historically underrepresented backgrounds at the AACN annual meeting, and (2) how this mentorship experience will contribute to your professional goals. You also may describe the ways in which attending the AACN Annual Meeting would represent a financial hardship for you without this award.	Finding the right mentor has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of my professional journey. As a first-generation immigrant in the U.S., navigating higher education with limited knowledge of its complexities was overwhelming. While I was fortunate to meet supportive mentors, I learned that mentorship's effectiveness is highly dependent on understanding a mentee's unique circumstances, including cultural background, personal obstacles, past experiences, and future goals. For instance, although I received guidance during my graduate school application process, many were ultimately less impactful due to differences in circumstances and interests. As a result, I learned that in mentorship, "one size does not fit all" holds. Now, as a second-year graduate student, I am committed to providing meaningful mentorship tailored to each mentee's unique path. I often draw from my own experiences to understand how an individual’s background and aspirations would help me become a more effective mentor. Thus far, I have worked hard to gain extensive mentorship experience ranging from supervising junior-level researchers in my previous full-time role to currently mentoring students interested in neuropsychology through my position as a student liaison at N2N. I am especially passionate about supporting individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who often face more challenges that many mentors may not take into account. This opportunity would also allow me to mentor others in navigating the professional landscape of a conference setting. For example, my experience as a student volunteer at the 2023 INS conference taught me strategies to help mentees approach researchers, expand their networks, and overcome barriers, such as for those for whom English is a second language. I have come to understand that many early career and graduate students can be timid and refrain from expanding their network as a result. Beyond professional guidance, I hope to support students facing personal hardship and guide them to achieve their professional goals. I would be honored to get the opportunity to fulfill this role and contribute to the professional growth of my peers and future colleagues. Lastly, as an international student at a Canadian university where funding and scholarship opportunities are close to none, this award would be a tremendous financial resource for me.
Tiebreaker	2